Spartans score third-straight division title

Times-Republican staff

sports@timesrepublican.com

Jesper Holke-Farnam

WELLSBURG — The Grundy Center boys’ golf team carded two of the day’s three lowest rounds to complete a sort of threepeat for the North Iowa Cedar League West Division crown on Monday at Meadowbrook Golf Course.

The Spartans, who last year joined forces with Gladbrook-Reinbeck in all spring sports, made it three years in a row atop the conference standings. Grundy Center shot a 327 to distance itself from the next-closest competitor by 17 strokes, led by meet medalist Jesper Holke-Farnam’s 3-over-par round of 73 and third-place finisher Jake Bangasser’s 77.

South Hardin had a pair of all-conference honorees in Ted Dunn (sixth, 83) and Tom Haywood (eighth, 84) but finished a distant second to Grundy Center with its 344 total. It was just enough, however, to hold off host AGWSR (346), West Marshall (348) and BCLUW (349). East Marshall came in sixth (361) and Gladbrook-Reinbeck rounded out the field (386).

Grundy Center got scoring contributions from Nolan Freeman (87) and Andy Cox (90), while South Hardin was helped out by Hunter Welch (87) and Quinton Lake (90). BCLUW was buoyed by its only medalist, Lane Stanley, who earned runner-up honors with his 4-over 74.

AGWSR’s third-place result was paced by Keon Huffman, who led the Cougars out of the fourth position with his 81. Tyler Rose was just outside the top nine with an 86, followed by Caleb Bartling (89) and Alex Hames (90).

Chandler Sponseller shot an 84 to earn all-conference honors while leading West Marshall to fourth. Hunter Pfantz missed the top nine by one stroke, shooting an 85. Jake Vawter (89) and Ross Randall (90) rounded it out for the Trojans.

Led by Stanley, BCLUW also got counting scores from Brad Barkema (88), Keegan Rhinehart (91) and Jonny Neff (96). East Marshall was captained by Dru Boliver, who carded an 83 to lead the Mustangs. Evan Espenscheid (88), Eric Ommen (93) and Dawson Sawyer (97) also contributed.

Matt Roeding, the reigning conference medalist, led Gladbrook-Reinbeck by posting the fourth-best score of the day with his 81. Joe Smoldt shot an 86 and Matt Johannsen had a 94 for the Rebels.